*UPDATE* 3:13AM – That’s all from fight night. More news from this night of boxing will be published on Sunday.

NEW YORK CITY — Tonight, BeatsBoxingMayhem will be live from Madison Square Garden providing live updates for every fight. Check back often here and on Twitter for commentary on the entire night of boxing.

GOLOVKIN GETS CONTROVERSIAL DECISION OVER JACOBS: This one lived up to the billing of “Big Drama Show.” There was high tension throughout the 12 rounds. Was Jacobs gaining momentum? Was Golovkin one shot away from ending it? I had Jacobs surging in the championship rounds to even it up at 104 headed into the 12th round.

The 12th was a clear GGG round; I felt Golovkin’s shots had more impact. That and the earlier knockdown (also controversial), was enough to give Golovkin a narrow 114-113 win on my card.

Neither guy’s stock should drop. GGG pressed the fight and attempted to walk down a much larger man with a dangerous punch. And Jacobs utilized a sound strategy of movement and switch-hitting to confuse Golovkin. If those boos directed at Golovkin during his post-fight interview are any indication, Jacobs will finally get some respect in his hometown.

RUNGVISAI STUNS CHOCOLATITO: What a war. Chocolatito was dropped by a balance shot to the body in the first, cut by a butt in the third, and facing the brute strength of a natural super flyweight. Gonzalez looked to be in trouble banging with the bigger man, but his accuracy and combinations got him back in it by the middle rounds.

From in the arena, I thought the critical mistake Chocolatito made came in the late rounds. I had him getting outworked in rounds 9-11, but sealing the deal with a strong 12th to take it 114-112. Instead, the judges had it 114-112 twice for Rungvisai and 113-113.

I couldn’t cosign the booing for Rungvisai. Yes, the favorite lost, but we got a great fight from both men. One thing that can’t be questioned is that Chocolatito is completely maxed out at this weight. This is around the age smaller fighters start to decline, so K2 needs to maximize the elite-level fights he has left, namely the Inoue and Estrada fights should Gonzalez get by Rungvisai in the rematch.

CARLOS CUADRAS UD10 DAVID CARMONA: Carlos Cuadras’s decision win over David Carmona may have given Roman Gonzalez a blueprint for an easier rematch. The normally fleet-footed Cuadras opted for a more stationary approach that allowed him to counter with power. Unfortunately for Cuadras, he’s not used to leading, making for awkward exchanges and him lunging to initiate offense.

Cuadras never got out of first gear and it nearly cost him. In terms of excitement, the most interesting moments in the late rounds came from Carmona getting rough. He stunned Cuadras with a hard overhand right in the seventh and hurt him to the body in the eighth. Carmona also was the more active over the last two rounds. The judges saw it differently, giving Cuadras the unanimous decision with scores of97-93 twice and 96-94.

This Cuadras was a far-cry from the one we saw lump up Gonzalez last year. Maybe he underestimated Carmona. Whatever the reason, Cuadras better get it together before the inevitable Gonzalez rematch.

RYAN MARTIN TKO8 BRYANT CRUZ: Ryan Martin improved his undefeated record with a dominant stoppage over Bryant Cruz. Martin used his size and reach advantage to keep the bout at mid-range where his size and reach allowed for repeated left hook counters and body work. Although Cruz remained scrappy, the punishment began visibly taking a toll in the fifth when he was hurt by a straight right.

The remaining action was one-way traffic with Cruz getting strafed any time he went to the ropes. It was this scenario in the eighth that put an end to the fight. Martin’s record improves to 18-0, 11 KOs.

UNTELEVISED UNDERCARD

ANDY LEE UD8 DE’ANDRE LEATHERWOOD: 14 months of inactivity resulted in a disappointing return for veteran Andy Lee, who won a lackluster unanimous decision over unheralded De’Andre Leatherwood. Lee spent most of the fight waiting for big counter punching opportunities that never came. While Leatherwood’s output was equally low, the career journeyman did manage to land at least one or two clean right-hand counters per round that kept Lee cautious.

The crowd began letting both men have it just two minutes into the fight. Yells of “Wake up, Andy!” and ‘C’mon, Andy!” were heard periodically throughout the night from diehard supporters.

Sensing the fight slipping away, Lee took m0re chances in rounds 6-8. Lee got the better of their sporadic exchanges via his formidable left hand, but Leatherwood was never in serious danger. Nonetheless, Lee aggression was viewed favorably by the judges, and he won the decision via scores of 80-72, 78-74, and 79-73.

MANCHESTER — Securing two knockdowns in the third round proved decisive for Billy Joe Saunders as he defeated Andy Lee tonight for the WBO middleweight title at the Manchester Arena.

What was billed as an all-action fight turned out to be a slow-moving chess match with little sustained punching. After two close opening rounds, Saunders dropped Lee twice in the third via counter right hands. Although badly hurt, Lee managed to survive. Rather than capitalize on his advantage, Saunders would maintain a wary respect for Lee’s punching power for the remainder of the fight.

In the championship rounds, Lee was the aggressor but he couldn’t land any clean shots outside of sporadic hooks to the body. One judge had it even (113-113), but was overruled by scores 114-112 and 115-111. The majority decision win gives Saunders his first world title, and options to unify with fellow titlists Danny Jacobs (WBA World) and Gennady Golovkin (WBA Super and IBF), or a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr.

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The fight wasn’t a dust-up, but you have to be happy for a hardworking guy like Saunders. As with any new titlist, the task switches to finding the right opponent for the first title defense.

Gennady Golovkin? Also not likely. GGG’s goal is to unify all the belts, but it’ll take a huge amount of money to make Saunders come to the U.S. Golovkin was able to entice David Lemieux by offering him a career-high payday, which is why that fight had to be on pay-per-view. That card broke even with 150,000 buys. Unlike Lemieux, Saunders has never fought on HBO and is relatively unknown to most U.S. fans. A pay-per-view to up Saunders’ purse wouldn’t give the promoters a profit.

Danny Jacobs? This one is possible. The fact that Showtime aired this contest lets you know they have interest. Danny Jacobs just destroyed Peter Quillin on their airwaves and could up his stock even more by adding the WBO title to his ledger. Showtime might not be willing to pay Saunders big bucks, but PBC creator Al Haymon might be willing to part with the money necessary to make this happen. But again, Jacobs-Saunders isn’t going to bring in huge ratings whether on PBC or Showtime due to Saunder’s name value in the U.S.

Chris Eubank Jr.? Consider this one highly probable. In recent statements, Saunders has given off the impression he’d rather keep the title in the UK. Eubank is coming off a big win over Sullivan and a Saunders-Eubank rematch would do numbers as a domestic grudge match. In addition, Saunders being the champion and winning the first bout gives him a bigger slice of the money split. The fight makes perfect sense financially and style-wise for Saunders. I’d be shocked if this fight isn’t made by the spring.

BROOKLYN, New York — The fighters for Saturday’s (April 11) NBC edition of Premier Boxing Champions completed their final media workout yesterday at the Barclays Center. The main event for the card will be Danny Garcia vs. Lamont Peterson. The co-main is Andy Lee vs. Peter Quillin with additional appearances by Errol Spence, Heather Hardy, Luis Collazo and Marcus Browne.

DANNY GARCIA

I just want to give the fans a great fight. I want them to see the best Danny Garcia. At the end of the day, this is the fight the fans want to see. My main focus is putting on a great show for the fans.

I’ve faced a lot of skillful boxers in my career and I’m still undefeated. That should tell the fans around the world who has more skill. Come April 11 when he’s feeling these two bombs on his face he’s going to forget about his skill.

I just want to give fans a great fight. I’m not too worried about the ‘0’ on my record. I fight hard to protect it but my main focus is to go in there and get the job done one fight at a time.

Everything I’ve done in my career is for a reason. Now I’m here on NBC fighting on this big playing field. This is great for boxing and a breath of fresh air for the sport.

I just want to be confident and humble at the same time. I want the fans to love me because I’m being myself. It’s very important for a young champion.

I’m going to try to dictate the pace, be smart, move my head, use my feet and land good punches. I can’t try to chase him down.

I used to love other great Puerto Rican boxers like Felix Trinidad, Miguel Cotto and Hector Camacho. I feel like I’m definitely working my way up into the ranks with them and following their footsteps.

I have to be smart in the ring. I have to go in there and be Danny Garcia. I’m here because I’m a smart fighter. Everyone knows that. I have power. I’m going to find my opening and capitalize on his mistakes.

LAMONT PETERSON

This is just another fight for me. I’m not worried about being the main event. I just love to fight. As long as I’m fighting I’m happy.

A lot of people see us fight and see us take punches, but that’s just the easy part. The sacrifice in the gym and putting my body through punishment is the rough part.

I’m not trying to prove anyone wrong, but this fight is important to me and I want to win it. I want to be the top guy and that means beating the top guy.

People talk about him beating Matthysse and Matthysse beating me, but anyone who knows about boxing knows that doesn’t mean anything. Come Saturday night I will prove to everyone that I’m a better fighter than Danny Garcia.

Angel Garcia has his opinion on this fight, and I respect it. He can go on record and say anything he wants, but if he says Danny Garcia is stronger than me, I’ll tell you that’s a lie.

We’re not worried about Danny’s power. A lot of people have asked me about that but I’m not worried. Danny Garcia had a split decision with Kendall Holt, who I knocked out. No one seems to mention that.

I’m comfortable with whatever way this fight goes. I’m almost guaranteeing the win.

I don’t think they’re taking me lightly. At the end of the day, Garcia knows this is a fight and he knows he hasn’t fought anyone like me. I’m expecting a big victory Saturday night.

You never know what you’re going to see with me. Whatever I feel like I need to do to win, that’s what I’ll do. I’m prepared 100 percent. I’m in shape for 30 rounds and I’ll be ready for anything.

ANDY LEE

We’ve made unbelievable progress in the last year on my skills and everything has really just clicked for me and my team and now we’re seeing the results in the ring.

I’m very proud to be an Irishman from Limerick defending his world championship in New York, it doesn’t get much better than that.

There’s been a huge weight lifted off my shoulders since winning the world-title. It’s what I always wanted to do and I’ve been touted as a champion for years and if I never got it I would have been disappointed. Now the monkey is off my back and I can just box and show people who I am.

We’ve made physical and tactical improvements in the gym since the last fight and hopefully they’ll show up in the ring on Saturday.

I think this could be a technical fight or it could be a bit of a fire fight. It’s going to be a little of both at times. There will be moments where we’re looking at each other, figuring each other out, but once we exchange it could be explosive.

Quillin is sure of himself, but he has to be, I have the same mentality. You have to be to compete in this sport.

Fighting at home like Quillin is on Saturday, brings a different kind of pressure to the table, it’s the pressure of expectations and people you know coming to the fights. That’s also pressure and I know all about that.

I haven’t needed to build up my confidence for this fight. It’s not time to think. It’s time to do what I’ve been doing every day in the gym.

PETER QUILLIN

I never trailed in a fight and came back and won like Lee. I’ve just won all the time right out of the gate. Those other guys aren’t ‘Kid Chocolate’ so I think that’s why this fight was made.

It’s a big fight for him and a big fight for me. He’s a smart fighter when he’s in trouble so I have to watch out for that. Most importantly I just need to be true to myself.

A lot of people had Lee as the underdog in his last fight but he came out and did great. That’s the thing about boxing; one punch can change the fight.

I’m getting paid for 12 rounds so I’m preparing for 12 rounds but if I can get him out of there early I will.

My whole life has been struggles and I’ve had to overcome every single one of those struggles. This is going to be no different from that.

Being a father of course made me more inspired and watching my uncle pass has made me more motivated than ever to accomplish everything I want.

When I gave up the belt I learned that I can be a bigger man and make tough decisions like that all of the time. People think losing is easy, but winning all the time is a different kind of pressure.

ERROL SPENCE JR.

I am the best young prospect in the game. I’m on the borderline of contender status and I believe I’m one fight away from being a contender.

I’m a little bit of a mix style-wise. I’m a boxer, I can punch and I can fight if I have to.

The fight I learned the most from was with Emanuel Lartey, he was undefeated along with me and it was my first real fight and first time going the distance.

I see myself fighting all the top guys in the welterweight division. I see myself with Keith Thurman, Amir Khan and any top welterweight.

I’m going to look good as always on Saturday night, It’s going to be fantastic and I’m going to come out with the victory.

MARCUS BROWNE

I’m just blessed to have this opportunity to fight at Barclays Center for the eighth time in front of my hometown fans.

I love performing in in Brooklyn. The fans here are fantastic and they know when I get in the ring they’re going to see something special.

I have a tough opponent in front of me. He’s experienced, very lanky fighter but we’ve trained very hard and I’m ready for anything he’s got.

Saturday is going to be a great night for Team Browne, Staten Island and all of my fans. Don’t blink cause you might miss it!

LUIS COLLAZO

I’ve spent some time with the family, regrouping and making sure I still have the same passion for this sport. I’m excited to be back and I jumped at the opportunity to be on this card.

This is what I live for. Boxing is my life.

After the Khan fight I took about a month off and then I went straight to the gym. I couldn’t go out like I did against Khan. No excuses, but it was time to go back to the drawing board and stay motivated throughout the whole year.

The fans can expect the same excitement I always bring. I’m more motivated now and hopefully after this fight I can get a big fight and give the fans what they want.

HEATHER HARDY

I have the same mindset going into every fight. I train to fight my fight and make adjustments when get in there.

I feel strong and I feel capable of whatever needs to be done.

I’ve only been boxing for four years so I’m still learning a lot of boxing technique in camp plus working three or four days a week with my strength and conditioning coach.

EL PASO, TEXAS — In the words of his own legendary father, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-0-1, 32 KOs) became a man last night and put everyone in the middleweight division on notice with a thorough beating of contender Andy Lee (28-2, 20 KOs) at the Sun Bowl.

From the opening bell, it was readily apparent that critic predictions that Lee would be the harder puncher were wildly inaccurate. Lee scored points when he kept Junior on the end of his lengthy jab, but the WBC titlist easily backed up Lee whenever he connected with slashing left hooks. By the third round, Chavez Jr. found great success pinning Lee to the ropes and working him over with hooks to the body and guard-splitting uppercuts.

Lee stood his ground in the fourth, resulting in some furious inside exchanges. These still favored Chavez Jr., who clearly rattled Lee with left hooks. All respect for the challenger’s punching power had ceased by the fifth; Junior demoralized Lee by shimmying after every connected Lee punch and taunting him to throw more. The round would end much like the others with Lee wallowing on the ropes under a barrage of Junior’s hooks and uppercuts.

Chavez Jr. turned more to his right hand in the sixth. From ring center, he dug in wincing rights to the body, taking away Lee’s already minimal success with the left jab. Once Lee was cornered, Junior continued the abuse to the body.

“Keep his body in the center of the ring and box his ass,” said Lee trainer Emanuel Steward, hoping in vain the fighter he views like a son could turn around the inevitable.

The end came quickly and brutally in the seventh. Lee’s head was snapped back by uppercuts. Against the ropes, he was caught flush with a whipping right hook during an exchange. He doubled over as Junior rained down overhand power shots to prompt referee Laurence Cole to stop the one-sided beating.

Surprisingly, all three judges had Lee ahead at the time of the stoppage by scores of 58-56.

While clearly happy with the critic-silencing win, Chavez Jr. let it be known that the contest could have been finished sooner.

“I saw he didn’t have any anything and that’s when I came on. He never hurt me,” said Junior in his post-fight interview. “I’m going to knock out Martinez and shut his mouth!”

Lee, who trains with recognized middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, said Martinez would have problems with Chavez Jr.’s size but declined to pick a winner.

The win is Junior’s third defense of the WBC title and sets up an anticipated showdown with Sergio Martinez that’s tentatively scheduled for September 15.

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Kudos to Junior; I definitely didn’t expect him to run through Lee in that fashion. The Martinez fight just got more intriguing. That scrap could end up looking like a better version of Martinez’s title-winning bout against Kelly Pavlik (and that was a good fight). Since the fight is being talked about in Vegas, I now have a tough choice; go check out Canelo-Ortiz or Martinez-Chavez Jr.?

For the record, I’m still picking Martinez. I feel he adjusts well late and knows when he needs to turn it on. Still, the X factor to me is Junior’s body shots. If he gets enough of them in early, Martinez may not have anything in the tank for those late knockouts that have become his calling card.

Prediction: As much deserved criticism Chavez Jr. has received over his career, it can’t be disputed that he’s made big improvements over the last year. But tonight, all that gets put to the test when he faces a hard man in Andy Lee. Win or lose, Chavez will get as good as he gives. Lee won’t be bullied inside; none of the big weight advantages Chavez enjoyed against foes like Zbik and Rubio. Lee’s also the harder puncher, so the trench warfare Chavez shows flashes of will put him in a perilous position during exchanges.

One thing I see is Chavez being on the move early. He did it well against Manfredo and punched hard whenever he set his feet. Should Lee have problems timing Chavez, he’ll lose some key rounds that’ll come back to haunt him on the scorecards. The later rounds will likely belong to Lee, but I don’t like his chances of getting a decision even in the wake of last weekend’s Tim Bradley-Manny Pacquiao shocker. Chavez takes some big shots, but wins a tight, entertaining split decision.

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY — Darren Barker (23-1, 14 KOs) came to fight, but Sergio Martinez (48-2-2, 27 KOs) proved too skillful in rallying late to deliver a 11th round knockout in a competitive bout last night at Boardwalk Hall.

The opening rounds were tactical affairs that surprisingly favored the slower Barker in exchanges. Martinez, who would back pedal and seek to catch Barker with counter left crosses, was short many times with his money punch despite a high punch output. Barker was able to land several solid straight rights, and kept Martinez’s timing off with his jab. In close, Barker did better with shorter shots, and had drawn a bloody nose on Martinez by the fourth round.

Martinez adjusted in the middle rounds by making the contest into an outside, technical boxing match. Although Martinez was much more active in rounds 5-7, Barker carried a high guard and caught most of Martinez’s shots on his gloves. Nonetheless, the strategy kept Barker from himself having any sustained offense, and the middleweight champion added in occasional body shots for additional points.

Barker came back strong in the eighth by going after Martinez behind 1-2s and steady but not reckless pressure. This forced several exchanges in which Barker landed solid right crosses and hooks as Martinez was retreating to the ropes.

With Barker now more active, Sergio Martinez made a final adjustment of standing his ground more to counter. When Barker landed a jab-right cross, Martinez immediately fired back with his own. In the round’s final minute, it would be Martinez who made the bigger statement by catching Barker with several left crosses.

The 10th and 11th were all Martinez. The 10th saw Martinez stun Barker with a right hook and press a potential knockdown with a 30 second flurry. Although Barker covered up well and survived, Martinez smelled blood and would not let the challenger recover from the damage. The champion began the 11th with a right hook downstairs, and threw combinations punctuated by looping right hooks around Barker’s guard. The last one caught Barker behind the ear and dropped him flat of his back. Writhing in pain and holding his face, Darren Barker could only make it to his knees before being counted out.

In the post-fight interview, Martinez reiterated his desire to hopefully land a bout with either Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao. He also turned down an offer made earlier in the night by WBC light-heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins to meet at a catchweight of 170 pounds.

On the undercard, middleweight contender Andy Lee (27-1, 19 KOs) gained revenge over a 2008 TKO loss to Brian Vera (19-6, 12 KOs) with a dominant unanimous decision. Outside of isolated moments where Vera connected with wild power shots, Lee throughly outboxed Vera and had his foe hurt late several times. Final scorecards read 98-91 and 99-90 twice.